Myla Pablo is 33 and has spent more than a decade in the PVL. With a younger, stronger generation of players coming in, the two-time league MVP knows that staying healthy matters as much as scoring.
Pablo has dealt with several injuries over her career, and she said she can’t afford another setback now that Nxled relies on her as one of its main hitters.
“I know na isa rin ako sa inaasahan ng team ngayon, na kailangan maging healthy ’yung katawan ko. And siyempre, ayoko magkasakit kasi pag nagkasakit ka, back to zero ka,” said Pablo.
“So, ’yun ’yung lagi kong nire-remind ’yung sarili ko, na kailangan every day talaga, maging maganda ’yung gising ko. Kailangan maganda ’yung kalalabasan ng katawan ko para maging maayos ’yung pag-prepare ko sa bawat games namin this conference.”
Myla Pablo Changes Routine to Be Fitter, Healthier
To get there, Myla Pablo changed her routine before the All-Filipino Conference. She now trains every day with her strength and conditioning coach and has cut back on how much she eats.
“Kasi bago mag-start ’yung All-Filipino, naging ano na ako sa katawan ko eh. Hindi na ako ’yung sobrang matakaw kumain, and every day din ako (nagti-train with Aldo), ’yung (strength and conditioning coach) ko,” she said.
The work is showing on the court. Pablo scored 9 points in Nxled’s sweep of PLDT, then had 17 points in the Chameleons’ 25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 20-25, 15-12 win over the Farm Fresh Foxies at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
She was at her best at the end of that match, scoring Nxled’s last 4 points and blocking Royse Tubino on match point to seal the win.
Defense + Offense From the Former Two-Time MVP
Digging deeper into her role at Nxled, Myla Pablo said her first job as an opposite is to defend at the net, and anything she adds on offense is a bonus.
“Siyempre, ’yung nasa isip ko talaga is mag-block lang ako sa loob ng court. Kasi kung maka-touch man ako, malaking bagay na ’yun kasi malakas naman ’yung nasa harapan namin, Brooke at MJ din,” she said.
“Kaya lagi kong nire-remind ’yung sarili ko na every set talaga, kailangan maka-touch ako at maka-block ako kasi ’yun naman ’yung magiging trabaho ko as an opposite. Siguro bonus na lang din talaga kapag nakakapalo ako nang maayos. Laking tiwala din ng mga teammates ko at mga coaches ko.”
Nxled will next face the Galeries Tower Highrisers on Thursday, October 22, 1:00 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
